Grand Theft Auto 4 PC Hands-On Preview

New impressions from the PC version of GTA 4.

Grand Theft Auto IV's huge -- no doubt about it. But a select section of gamers still hasn't played the game because it hasn't yet hit their platform of choice: PC. Well, it's coming -- and at a recent hands-on press event, we got the chance to check out some extra features Rockstar hopes will make the PC version well worth the wait.

First, players will be able to use the keyboard, mouse, and gamepad at the same time. What this means is that if you choose to plug in a 360 controller (sacrilege, I know), you'll be able to drive or move with the gamepad but can also quickly switch to the mouse if you wanna execute some precision shooting. Some PC gamers may hate the idea of using a console controller, and you don't have to use it, but it actually works quite well in this instance. I personally watched 1UP executive previews editor Thierry Nguyen easily switch to the mouse when he wanted pixel-perfect aim for headshots, then quickly change back to the controller setup when he got behind the wheel.

The PC release's standout addition, though, is the ability to record and edit. By simply pressing a button on the keyboard, you can save the last 30 to 60 seconds of gameplay, depending on how much memory the onscreen action's currently eating up. After saving as many film clips as desired, you'll enter the editing program. Since the clips are all rendered in real time, the editing program gives players a surprisingly high amount of options, such as moving the camera to different character perspectives or positioning it anywhere in the environment. Players can also set time markers, which makes it easier to edit together multiple angles and add effects or music. After the individual clip's edited, just drop it into a progress bar and then add other clips to create extended videos. Aspiring video editors with a lot of time on their hands can probably craft some truly impressive clips -- as demonstrated by some sample videos Rockstar showcased. But even with only a few moments at the controls, Thierry and I were able to create entertaining clips using multiple effects and angles.

Here's where video creation will truly shine with the PC crowd, though: sharing clips over Rockstar's Social Club website. Once a video's created, players can export it in high definition, standard definition, or in a lower resolution for easy Web uploading. Users can vote on any vid uploaded to the Social Club, and top clips will be available for all players to watch straight from the game's main menu, which will feature continuous Social Club updates. Hopefully, the PC GTA4 market's big enough to take advantage of this, as I can't wait to watch some of the clips that video-savvy players are sure to create.

With technical upgrades -- players can push the amount of onscreen traffic based on the power of their machine -- the control options, and the video-editing system, it's clear that GTA4 PC's not just a cash-in port. Sure, PC gamers might not always get the games first -- but sometimes, they have it best.